The outline business case has been approved by the treasury for the project, which will see a digital campus for civil servants built
The Manchester civil service campus will be built on brownfield land in Ancoats, central Manchester, with capacity for 8,800 staff.
The campus will provide support for several government departments focusing on digital work.
The campus is a part of the Places for Growth programme
The campus contributes to the digital and data strategy, and will be delivered by the Cabinet Office and the Government Property Agency. The campus is aiming to be operational by 2032, with a 900,000 sq ft workspace across two buildings.
The construction alone is expected to create 4,900 direct jobs over its four year build period.
Cabinet office minister, Anna Turley, said: “We are turning disused land into a digital centre for government, boosting local growth and supporting regeneration of Manchester’s vibrant city centre.
“I am a firm believer that the best ideas often come from those on the frontline. Our plans will move decision-making out of Whitehall and into cities like Manchester, to ensure national policy is informed by local expertise. This will deliver real, tangible benefits for communities across the North, as well as saving the taxpayer billions of pounds.”
Several government buildings have been confirmed or started
Last month, the Darlington Government Hub began construction, with a capacity for 1,600 civil servants.
The Government Property Agency is also responsible for this project, and is set to be finished in earl 2028. The hub will also be home to the Darlington Economic Campus to support the growth and construction sector in the UK to redevelop brownfield sites or repurpose existing structure.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the project was led by chancellor Rachel Reeves, who said: “The Darlington Economic Campus has brought hundreds of skilled jobs and real economic benefits to this town – and today we’re breaking ground on its permanent home.
“This new Government Hub demonstrates our long-term commitment to Darlington and to making economic decisions right across the country, not just in Westminster.”
Minister of state at the Cabinet Office, Anna Turley, said: “Breaking ground on this new hub is a major milestone in our mission to bring the Civil Service closer to the communities it serves.
“Through our Places for Growth programme, we are ensuring that high-quality career opportunities are created outside of London, supporting economic growth across the entire country.
“This building is a visible sign of our investment in Darlington’s future, supporting and developing local talent to help deliver the government’s Plan for Change from the heart of the North East.”
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